Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The controversy over the 814 area code came up during today’s House Appropriations Committee budget hearings. State Representative Marty Causer asked members of the Public Utility Commission how they came to their decision to split the area code instead of doing an overlay. “My mother is in Eldred, and even she gave me a hard time,” joked Commissioner James Cawley before giving his answer. He explained that the commission thought it was doing the right thing by making the split and assigning a new area code (582) to the western part of the region. “We thought we were splitting it in the area up there that we thought was going to grow, including Eldred – believe it or not – and Erie, (and) they would need lots of new numbers,” he said, “and then the part that was left at 814 – we thought that’s not going to grow very much.” Cawley also said the commission didn’t hear from businesses before their decision, and that public hearings on the matter were sparsely attended. The PUC will be hol...

Members of the state House Timber Caucus toured the Domtar paper mill in Johnsonburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, as part of an examination of Pennsylvania's forest industry. The Johnsonburg facility is the biggest mill owned by the Domtar Corporation, the largest integrated producer of uncoated free sheet paper in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity. Pictured (left to right) are Jack Hedlund of the Allegheny Forest Alliance, Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk), Kathy Rapp (R-Forest/McKean/Warren), Brad Roae (R-Crawford), Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter, Cameron), Gary Haluska (D-Cambria), Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) and Ridgway-resident Dale Anderson of the Pennsylvania Forest Industry. Photo provided by House Republican Communications

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today was appointed to the state House Appropriations Committee, giving the fifth-term lawmaker greater standing in the development of the annual state budget. “My number one priority this year is for the state House to adopt an on-time, fiscally responsible state budget, and I believe my appointment to the Appropriations Committee will help us reach that goal,” Causer said. “Many of the people I represent have told me enough is enough when it comes to government spending, and I could not agree more. I will make sure their voices are heard loud and clear in this year’s budget negotiations.” As a member of the committee, Causer will participate in a series of in-depth hearings with officials from every major state agency and department to determine their budgetary needs. He also will play a role in monitoring ongoing expenditures to ensure departments are operating within the confines of the enacted state budget. Additionally, the Appropriations Commit...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) would like to remind students and families that the 2011-12 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available online. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal grants, the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant, many scholarships, reduced-cost federal student loans, work-study programs, and many school-based student aid programs. Completing a FAFSA is a vital step students and families should take when looking for assistance in covering higher education costs. Completing the FAFSA online helps reduce the potential for errors and offers a quicker processing time. Since most families complete a FAFSA online, the federal government will no longer provide paper FAFSAs. Families have the choice of completing and submitting the form electronically or printing the form and sending it to the U.S. Department of Education through traditional mail. To submit an electronic form, the student and parent must request a personal identification number ...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) officially began his fifth two-year term representing the people of Cameron, Potter and McKean counties today as he and his fellow state House lawmakers were sworn in at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. "With a substantial House Republican majority and a new governor on the way, there is a lot of optimism and excitement among lawmakers today," Causer said. "I know we have significant challenges ahead, especially when it comes to our state budget, but I believe we have the right leaders in place to move our state in the right direction." Causer said his top priority for 2011 is to pass an on-time, fiscally responsible state budget. "Not one single budget was done on time in the eight years of the Rendell administration, and spending increased substantially on his watch," Causer said. "It's time to reassess every budget line item and bring state spending under control, and we need to do it by the June 30 budget dea...

HARRISBURG - Farmers in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties may be contacted early next year when the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the state Department of Agriculture, begins the process of conducting its Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). "This study gives farmers the opportunity to provide data and information that will be used to guide the state and federal governments in addressing the issues affecting the agriculture industry," said State Representative Marty Causer. "Participation is optional for anyone who is contacted for the survey." The survey will be conducted between Jan. 28 and April 14, 2011, and will include input from nearly 35,000 farmers nationwide, of which 673 will be randomly selected from Pennsylvania. Producers will be asked to provide data on their operating expenditures, production costs and household characteristics. Causer also noted that the Pennsylvania Field Office of the National Agricultural Statist...

Pennsylvanians back the idea of selling the state's liquor stores to help balance the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today, and one local lawmaker says he’s willing to look into the plan. State Representative Marty Causer says the selling of the liquor stores is a policy issue he thinks the House has to consider. “I am very willing to take a look at it,” Causer said. “I think with the budget situation we have, and under our current climate, it might be just the right time to consider it.” Selling state-owned liquor stores has the most support among various ideas tested by Quinnipiac, with support pretty much across party lines. The idea is backed by 68 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents and 63 percent of Democrats. Given four choices on how to solve the state’s budget problem, 54 percent of the people polled supported selling the liquor stores; 17 percent favor leasing the Pennsylvania turnpike; 14 percent say lay off state workers;...

State Representative Marty Causer is encouraging flood victims to contact municipal officals. "If you experienced, or are still experiencing, flood damage due to heavy rains on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 1, please be sure to report it to your local municipality as soon as possible," he said. If you have additional questions, contact your county emergency management agency: McKean County: 814-887-5070 Cameron County: 814-486-1137 Potter County: 814-274-8900

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is pleased that legislation reinforcing a person's right to defend himself or herself in the face of an intruder is on its way to the governor's desk. "In current law, a person under attack in his or her own home has to retreat before taking action in self defense - that simply does not make sense," Causer said. "I hope the governor will sign this measure into law, further solidifying our citizens' Constitutional right to keep and bear arms." The so-called "Castle Doctrine" creates in law a presumption that an attacker or intruder intends to do great bodily harm and therefore force, including deadly force, may be used to protect oneself, one's family and others in the face of an attack while at home or in an occupied vehicle. The presumption also applies if a person is trying to unlawfully remove an occupant, against the occupant's will, from a home or vehicle. The presumption would not ...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) welcomed hundreds of area senior citizens to his Eighth Annual Senior Expo at the Roulette Fire Hall on Oct. 8. "It was good to see the many people that come back year after year, but I was also especially pleased to hear from several folks that this was their first trip to the expo," Causer said. "I believe this is a great service to our older residents, as well as their families, and the fact that the events in Roulette and Bradford are growing every year confirms that." Among the most popular features of the expo are health screenings, such as blood pressure and carotid artery checks. Flu and pneumonia shots were also available. Seniors also had access to information from a wide variety of vendors, including the Potter County Education Council, the PACE/PACENET program, the Potter County Sheriff's Office, the PA Association of Retired State Employees, the state office of Attorney General, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Ham...

Donna M. Parry, 64, of 1056 Minard Run Road, passed away Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at her residence. Born December 14, 1945, in Coudersport she was the daughter of Lynton and Edna (Haskins) Turner of Dunbar Crossing, who survive. On September 19, 1970 in Bradford at the First Presbyterian Church she married C. Dale Parry who also survives. Mrs. Parry was a 1963 graduate of Port Allegany High School and a 1965 graduate of Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in Buffalo, NY. She had been employed at Bradford National Bank, then for Helen Nusbaum and Alan Jones Insurance Agency, and later as the office manager at Phillips & Dart Oil Field Services. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as deacon, elder and most recently as Clerk of Session, and was a member of the National Notary Association. In addition to her parents and husband she is survived by a daughter Melissa A. (Martin) Causer of Turtlepoint, a brother, Gary (Kim) Turner of Port Allegan...

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is inviting area senior citizens and their families to his Eighth Annual Senior Citizens Expo on Friday, Oct. 8, at the Roulette Fire Hall. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and lunch will be provided. "We got great feedback after our Bradford Senior Expo in August, so I hope more people take advantage of this opportunity to gather a lot of useful information in one convenient place," Causer said. State, county and local vendors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions. Information about health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government services, hunting/fishing and personal safety will be available. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information, contact Causer's Coudersport office at (814) 274-9769 or visit RepCauser.com .

State Representative Marty Causer poses for pictures during his annual Senior Expo Friday at Pitt-Bradford. People filled up the Sport & Fitness Center to get information from dozens of exhibitors ranging from health care providers to financial advisers to the McKean County SPCA and Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) Wednesday opposed the 2010-2011 budget adopted by the state House and sent to the governor's desk. The $28.04 billion plan represents a reduction of just under $1 billion from the governor's original proposal. "While I commend House and Senate Republican leaders for successfully cutting the governor's original spending plan by nearly $1 billion, I believe this budget still spends more than the people of Pennsylvania can afford," Causer said. Although the budget does not require any new taxes to balance, it creates a "structural deficit" of at least $3 billion that will have to be addressed in the next fiscal year. That could lead to tax increases people cannot and should not have to pay, Causer said. Another concern is that the budget bill relies on more than $2.7 billion in stimulus funding from the federal government. Of that, $850 million has not yet been authorized by Congress, and recent efforts in Was...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati expressed extreme gratitude to Representative Matt Baker for his efforts to amend the language currently in Senate Bill 9 into an illegal workers bill in the House of Representatives. The amendment failed mostly down party lines with a few Republican Representatives also voting “no.” Senate Bill 9 and the language in Representative Baker’s amendment would prohibit illegal aliens living in Pennsylvania from receiving public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare, or in-state tuition. “I am grateful to Representative Baker for attempting to place this common sense language into a House Bill,” Scarnati stated. “Clearly, Representative Baker recognizes that Pennsylvania citizens should not have to sacrifice their hard-earned dollars for individuals living in this country illegally.” Scarnati also mentioned that Senate Bill 9 has overwhelmingly been passed in the Senate the past two legislative sessions. “Without question, we have too many illega...

Bradford dentist Dr. Dennis Faucher gives the keynote address during a Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Ceremony, hosted by State Representative Marty Causer, Saturday morning at Bradford Area High School. An emotional Faucher told his fellow veterans that their service in Vietnam is "part of us and partially defines us." He was a distinguished helicopter pilot and received many honors, including the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Melanie Bizzarro, an 8th grade student at Fretz Middle School, sings The National Anthem. "It has been said," Causer told the auditorium packed with veterans and their families, "that the only thing more tragic than a country without heroes is one that has them, but forgets them. America was fortunate to have heroes willing to serve our country during the Vietnam era. We are committed to remembering their heroism, their sacrifice and their honor." The Bradford American Legion, Bradford VFW, Crosby ...

State Representatives Marty Causer, Kathy Rapp and Matt Gabler all ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary. However, Gabler will have a challenger in November. In the heavily Democrat Elk County, Democrat Frank Straub got 2,797 votes. Republican Gabler got 2,124 with all 32 precincts reporting. In Clearfield County, Gabler got 2,404. Straub picked up 1,431. Causer garnered 2,341 votes in McKean County; 2,039 in Potter County; and 471 in Cameron County with all precincts reporting. Rapp received 620 votes McKean County; 3,114 in Warren County; and 590 in Forest County with all precincts reporting.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The state House has passed a bill that would immediately impose a three-year moratorium on natural gas drilling on state forest land. Sponsors of the bill want a thorough environmental assessment of the impact of drilling on the land before more can be leased. Speaking on the House floor against an amendment to the bill, State Representative Marty Causer said passing the bill would delay development in the Commonwealth. He said the counties he represents have some of the highest unemployment in Pennsylvania and drilling is “one bright spot that we actually have.” “This is one potential area where we can put people to work … and that’s what we need to do,” he said, drawing cheers from some of his colleagues Causer continued, saying the overall goal of the bill is to stop drilling all together. “Make no mistake, the people pushing this legislation want to stop the drilling, whether it’s on state land or private land – any land. They want to stop t...

American Refining Group, Inc. recently completed a $1.5MM bio-fuels project that will supply 2% bio-diesel to the Western Pennsylvania area. The project involved the construction of several new tanks and a new computer controlled injection system. This project was completed with a $609K Alternative and Clean Energy Grant from the PA Commonwealth Financing Authority. ARG is grateful to Sen. Joe Scarnati and Rep. Martin Causer both of whom were instrumental in assisting the company in obtaining this grant. ARG expects to make a 2% Bio-diesel blend available May 1st to comply with Pennsylvania’s Act 78 which requires the use of bio-fuel for all on road vehicles. In addition this project will allow ARG to supply ethanol blended gasoline later this year. Harvey Golubock, President and COO of ARG said, “Renewable fuels are a step toward a sustainable energy source that will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. We are pleased to be able to make this product available within our...

By SANDRA RHODES A group is mounting a grass roots effort to form the McKean County Young Republicans organization. Andrew Johnson of Port Allegany, along with Jeremy and Laura Yohe of Bradford, are starting a McKean County Young Republicans group as an effort to involve more young people in the political process. “A lot of people say we are the future of the party,” Johnson said. “We are not just the future, we are the present, we are the here and now. “We vote in elections … We need more involvement from young people.” A kick-off event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. May 8 at Kelly’s on Main Street in Bradford. U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., will be the guest speaker. Other elected officials confirmed to attend are state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren. This event will enable the group to present its goals as well as gauge interest. Applications will be available at the event. Snacks and the first drink will be provided; there will be a cash bar...